What Golf Needs in 2010…

I’ve refrained from writing about Tiger Woods over the last month for a couple reasons. First, I’m genuinely disappointed with the whole mess and don’t feel ready to share my thoughts until I can see it less emotionally. And second, I don’t think anyone really knows the true story…and won’t until either Tiger or Elin decide to speak out on the subject. And, I don’t want to join in on the speculation round table, as I feel there has been enough of that going on…without my help. Plus, no matter how disappointed I am, Tiger has earned my respect with his spectacular play; his countless hours of charitable work; and his ability to take the sport I love to unprecedented heights.

So…although I certainly have an opinion on Tiger’s extracarricular activities — I will not judge.

Now, that said, golf is going to hit a little speed bump this year without Tiger Woods. Even if Tiger plays in 2010, he still wont be the Tiger we’ve known…if that makes sense. And between the economy and new TV contracts, this probably wasn’t the greatest time for us to find out that Tiger is human after all. That said, golf, long term, is of course is bigger than any one person. But for the sake of the short term, here are four things I think golf could use in 2010.

1. Phil Mickelson to have a monster year. The stars have never been better aligned for Mickelson to take his place among the all-time greats. He’s rediscovered his putting stroke after finding Dave Stockton. He’s missing full shots better than ever after finally getting comfortable with his Butch Harmon designed golf swing. And, he has a new found perspective after his wife and mother both faced down health scares. Golf needs Phil to win 5+ times in 2010… preferably with a couple of majors. And one of those majors should come at the home of golf, St. Andrews, in the British Open — so Mickelson can become a global champion and not just an American one. He’s made some international strides the last couple years in China, but all things being equal, he’s pretty much thought of as an American golfer. That’s not necessarily a bad thing — but Tiger Woods belongs to the world. And right now, golf could use a global figure who won’t drop the ball. And at this point in time, Phil is that choice. I’ve been lucky enough to attend some major events where Tiger and Phil both competed, and I’ll wager that, at least in America, fans love Phil more. They may respect Tiger more (or at least used to) but they love Phil. Maybe it’s his style of play. Or maybe, it’s that, from day one, we’ve always known he was a fallible human being. Or maybe, we love the the fact that in the middle of a practice round, he’ll buy the crowd hamburgers from the snack bar. Or maybe, we love that he smiles. Or maybe, we love that he’s the tour’s most generous tipper. Or maybe, it’s a combination of all of the above. But I know one thing for certain — if Phil can play some truly spectacular golf in 2010 — he’ll add a whole lot of respect to that love.

2. The kids — Rory McIlroy, Anthony Kim, Ryo Ishikawa and Danny Lee — to come alive in big events and preferably battle one another for a title. Golf needs a couple new superstars and more importantly… rivalries. I can think of nothing better than a couple of these kids in a back nine battle for a Green Jacket in April. Can you imagine Rory fearlessly matching Anthony birdie for birdie at The Masters? It would certainly be fun to watch. It would give us something to talk about besides Tiger Woods. Okay, you’re right, we’ll always talk about Tiger Woods. But a teenage/twenty-something shootout at Augusta would infuse some much needed excitement into the sport.

3. For a rivalry to develop on The LPGA Tour that makes people actually want to watch. Annika Sorenstam became Annika Sorenstam after Karrie Webb made her work harder and smarter than any woman professional to date. Wouldn’t it be nice if Michelle Wie could battle Lorena Ochoa or Paula Creamer for a few majors this year? I say Michelle because, even with her controversies of the last few years, no one moves galleries on Tour like her. I’ve spent a lot of time on the LPGA Tour and trust me, it’s easy to find Michelle on the golf course — just find the people. Despite her controversies, I like Michelle. I think she was the victim of a few things outside of her control the last few years. I think she will mature into a well-liked, if not beloved, golf figure over the next ten years. I don’t think she’ll dominate until she becomes a better putter — but I think, thanks to her, we’ll see women’s golf played at a level never seen before. Simply, the LPGA Tour needs Michelle. And right now, golf needs Michelle.

4. For the major tours to give back…more. Face it, this is a tough time financially for a lot of people…and I think golf has a wonderful opportunity to lead the sporting world in giving something back to fans and communities. First, I’d like to see the tours voluntarely cut their purses 20%. The current purses reflect an economic boom time and when Tiger was…well Tiger. This would go a long way with the sponsors as well as those fans who are also hurting. If companies could sponsor an event for $4.8M this year for what was $6M last year — this would prove that major tours are in this for long term partnerships and not short term gains. Basically the anti Carolyn Biven model. It would also help with the networks who are losing more and more ad revenue to the web. If they could televise an event for 20% less than last year, it would also do wonders for that partnership. Next, I would like to see ticket prices cut for the average fan and for the tour’s to expand on free tickets to kids. I would like to think, even if a family is hurting economically, that a father could take his kids to a PGA Tour event for a reasonable amount of money. Again, this would go a long way to proving to fans that golf cares and wants to continue to grow the game.

I think if these four things happen, then this time next year, we’ll be looking back on 2010 as a very successful golf year. Tiger or no Tiger.

12 Responses to “What Golf Needs in 2010…”

It is only a game and if Tiger does not show up the sun will still rise tomorrow. These guys and girls make way too much money for this nonsense. The real golfers are people who pay to play like me and are the real ones who play for the enjoyment. As for Tiger he is a complete idiot. He had the world in his back pocket and threw it all away

I think you hit the nail on the head, well done in your remarks about the media and what golf holds for the future. Your 4 suggestions are exactly what the golf world needs to enhance for the long term and short term OF THE WORLD OF GOLF.

I agree with you from refraining on your view point of the Tiger and Elin SITUATION (did she know of his sexual attractions–sure she did–is she an angel –I rather doubt it–everyone has skeleton in their closets–YOU, I, and Tiger/Elin are no different. .

Your and my opinions are exactly that–OPINIONS-We do not know the true story–this gal (me) does not need that or the media garbage. Until we hear from Tiger and Elin–which I hope we do not as it is their family business–but if we do–read between their lines and the truth will be there. 😉

The people who are cashing in on this are LOSERS in my book with their 15 minutes of fame–IS JUST THAT–now do we remember their names–NOOOOOOOOO–but David Letterman, Leno– along with their low-class group of day/night show HOSTS will make sure we won’t forget THEM–do they have a leg to stand on ( I think NOT)—now they can take a hike and let golf get back to the wonderful sport it has been for SO MANY years.

Tiger is a winner in his own right of the game of golf –plus engaging in helping fundraisers/charities/ which leads to his leadership on the golf course– working with kids, built a very high tech LEARNING foundation–building or designing a golf course in North Carolina with other courses to come IN OTHER AREAS OF THE WORLD–TIGER will be around–whether he comes back to play or not to play–( I hope he does) but he will be in some aspect of the world of golf with a better human error %–plus will be down to earth like the rest of us.

Also as far as his ex-sponsors–AT&T, Gillette and the others–who needs them– We the consumer will buy the product with OR WITHOUT any interference of a downfall of any athletic person, whether being Tiger (golf), Pete Rose (baseball) (gambling on sports), Kobe (basketball–his affairs–yes affairs), Majic Johnson (basketball–(HIV), Joyner (track–steriods)), John Daly (alcohol)–still plays golf, Michael Phelps (swimmer–smoking mariquana–caught in the act by a person with a camera) still swims–Agasi ( tennis-drugs).

–whether it is football, basketball, baseball, tennis, soccer or other players (steriods in grade school, Junior High, HS, College or Pro)—I could go on and on–this will happen to another person in the realm of sports–Hollywood (Michael Jackson, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Rock Hudson, members of bands),– Government (presidents, Senate, Congress) and so on. The finding-out by the media, trashy magazines, internet relayed to us by them–will be the same like the years in the past, present and on to the future.

These people are human just like the rest of us and chose their gift to succeed in THEIR life with THEIR sport to entertain their fans–meaning us. They have downfalls just like the rest of us–difference– we are not in the limelight like they are–so they get the arrow in the back. Ours is done privately without the limelight in our big or small towns across the world.

My point is these people paid the price of being in the spotlight and got caught in way or another–THEIR lives went on– got back their lives and are still thriving in THEIR sports and Misc. for our entertainment.–SO will TIGER–

I will look forward to the day when he comes back with his tiger look in those eyes to his opponents along with his high fist pumps and have a 😉 on my face as he has nothing to prove to me, you or anybody else–he will play the game as masterful as he has in the past.–and be better for it :wink:.

THIS IS MY SAY AND I AM STICKING TO IT. 😉 who cares what I THINK-I KNOW— LONG- WINDED AS MY FRIENDS KNOW ME–YES I AM -so laughing.

JUST ONE MORE THING-LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR SUCH NONSENSE– LETS ALL LIVE OUR LIVES TO THE FULLEST–BE HAPPY–TAKE WHAT WE GET –WHETHER IT IS BAD OR GOOD; AND MOVE ON. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN WE WILL TAKE THAT LAST BREATH.

I AM SAYING THIS AS A BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR THE SECOND TIME AROUND–I WAS CLEAN FOR 10 YEARS–GOT SOCKED BY IT AGAIN THIS PAST NOVEMBER 2009–AGAIN I HAVE A LONG HAUL–BUT I AM A SURVIVOR/I KNOW THE ROUTINE/AND WHAT I MUST DO–SO DOES TIGER/ELIN.

LET’S SEE WITH OR WITHOUT THE WRATH OF MEDIA LURKING IN THE WINGS–THEY WILL DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THEIR FAMILIES–WE MIGHT NOT LIKE THE OUTCOME OF WHAT THEY CHOOSE–BUT IT IS THEIR CHOICE–NOT OURS.

With the silence about Tiger and his difficulties, you have put a face on
the golf picture that really counts. Golf means so much to a lot of people in a lot of different ways. For the past month, while on the golf course, no one has been speculating about Tiger. They are paying attention to their game and enjoying the day. So, in the end, the solutions that you have posited give us a framework to move on.

Whilst I don’t condone what has happened we don’t know the full story.Tiger Woods though brilliant at what he does(Golf I mean) is just a human being and as such prone to making mistakes/errors of judgement call it what you may.Just because he’s near perfect in one part of his life dosn’t mean that he wont make mistakes in other areas.There isn’t anyone who has been born (save one, who also made one error of judgement, which cost him also) who hasn’t done at least one or more things that they regret later, but because the majority of us are not famous or in the public eye it never gets mentioned. I do feel that because of his fame he should have thought more about the consequences of being a huge role model to so many (young and not so) but so saying he isn’t the first and he certainly wont be the last. It’s happening every day somewhere in the world, he needs to be left to ponder his mistake(s)and just like golf learn from them so you don’t make them again.

Your insight is right on. Tiger is human and what is going on in his personal life is just that “personal”. Of course it is news, anything Tiger does is. Unlike the rest of those who would use his problems to further themselves ( news organizations and gossip colums for example) I, like you realize he is just a man with extrodinary skills at this awesome game. He will come back to the game he loves and after awhile all this will fall behind him and he will once more draw the crowds he always did.

The opprtunity for another pro to take command of this sport is right there for the taking. The “older” pros like Mickelson, Duval, Leonard need to infuse themselves and their personalities into the headlines. The younger pros need to use this opportunity to establish themselves as top contenders and the “future” of the game.

I love this game. It hurt to see things as they developed but I know that the game as well as myself will endure and grow. I also know that as with all things, this too will pass.

I think you hit the nail on the head. That’s exactly what golf in 2010 needs & I’m looking forward to it. I also agree with your comments regarding Tiger Woods. I want to hear it from Him & Elin. I’m sick of all these rumors with nothing to back them up. If he’s in all these places, how come no-one has taken a picture of him? I hope he comes back soon, but I’m still going to enjoy watching golf until he does.

Your article has hit the mark during these tough times not only for golf but also for the world wide economic difficulty many people are facing………in north america golf is becoming less expensive for all and we should see it for the tour as well, one way or another……

the golden age of golf is slowing for now as we head for less expansive times economically……….the game will persevere and thrive going forward…..

Strangely I feel closer to Tiger Woods than before, when he seemed godlike and on an unapproachable pedestal. Now we know Tiger is just a man and liable to succomb to the temptations of life. His domestic problems should be for him and his wife to sort out between them and not for the media to make money from. I hope that he will come back to Golf once he and his wife have sorted out their problems and that the media and the loud mouths on the courses he will play will allow him to play without interference. Golf is the loser, but the “Tiger Situation” has not and will not affect the love of the game, I and the many thousands of players, have for this wonderful and exasperating sport.

Thoughtful article. Well said. Maybe this will give some the up and coming , to really show up. Like the cream. It would be good to see Phil make a some positive moves and play up to his potential. Bob Crawford

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